P.Y.O.B Paint Your Own Boxes

Adding color to your cabinets is a big decision and one that defines the look of your space. While choosing a trending color can be tempting, it often creates a look that feels temporarily "updated" rather than timeless. Making a long-lasting, thoughtful color cam feel daunting, but it doesn't have to be. In this guide, we'll explore some upcoming design trends and color suggestions that may align perfectly with your future cabinet painting project! Color Trend Forecast: A Return to Warmth Color trend prediction isn't a hard science-it's an evolving blend of industry insight, expert intuition and countless hours of cultural and market research. Trends are cyclical; what's old often becomes new again. In recent years, we've seen the rise of bright whites and cool tones dominating design, especially in kitchens---think clean lines, circular silhouettes, Taj Mahal quartzite countertops, and Chantilly Lace bright white cabinetry. However, a subtle but steady shift is underway. Consumers are beginning to move away from stark, high-contrast whites and cool minimalism. In their place, we're seeing a growing embrace of warmer, softer off-white and greige tones that evoke comfort and character without sacrificing brightness. Looking ahead to this year and beyond, the future of interior design is leaning toward warmth, personality, and a sense of intimacy. Spaces are becoming more inviting, personal, and emotionally resonant-less showroom-perfect and more lived-in and loved. Below is a list of some of our all time favorite colors that exude warmth characterized by color family: Blacks & Browns #1. Sherwin Williams Urbane Bronze : a rich dark grounding greige with green leaning #2. Sherwin Williams Black Fox : a beguiling black neutral with a warm greige undertone #3. Benjamin Moore Dragon's Breath : a deep dark gray-brown with a touch of green #4. Benjamin Moore Wrought Iron : a popular accent color with slight purple undertone #5. S herwin Williams Black Magic : warm, timeless and sophisticated black Off Whites #1. Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee : with a light reflectance value of 83, this beige leaning off white goes perfect with warm granites #2. Benjamin Moore Seapearl: slightly darker than it's brother color Swiss Coffee, this versatile off white can lean a little cool too #3. Benjamin Moore Ballet White : more warm depth but not a yellow white. #4. Sherwin Williams Alabaster: a popular choice for soft white cabinets keeping your look bright but inviting #5. Benjamin Moore White Dove : a top contender for its neutrality this color is similar to Swiss Coffee but less beige. Light Greiges #1. Benjamin Moore Edgecomb Gray : timeless, earthy organic taupe greige with hints of beige and green #2. Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter: an iconi. c neutral color that adapts beautifully to its environment #3. Benjamin Moore Classic Gray : ultra light greige that behaves more like an off white #4. Magnolia Homes Gatherings: this is a golden gray with amber, beige and a wink of green undertones #5. Benjamin Moore Pale Oak: a light neutral taupe greige with subtle purple-pink undertones When considering your palette, warm greens with earthy leanings are especially grounding and soothing like Benjamin Moore's Dark Olive or Sherwin Williams Night Owl . For a more dramatic and saturated statement consider incorporating a deep sophisticated burgandy like Farrow and Ball's Brinjal . This evokes depth and warmth and pairs symbiotically with accents of burnished gold, warm natural woods and fabrics with hints of red or gray undertones. To add a touch of classic coolness, a refined blue like Benjamin Moore's Britannia Blue can be striking. It balances wonderfully when anchored with warm neutrals like Revere Pewter, offering a harmonious blend of warmth and contrast across the space. At A La Carte Cabinet Painting, we offer complementary expert color guidance for our clients, helping them choose the perfect hue for your space---creating a timeless and personalized look that reflects their unique style. Need help picking the perfect cabinet color? Book a free estimate and schedule a color consultation today! As the owner of A La Carte Cabinet Painting , Heather Perkins, has a Bachelor of Arts and a strong foundation in color theory staying attuned to evolving design trends to assist clients in creating spaces that are both timeless and on-trend.

Painting your cabinets can completely transform your kitchen or bathroom, but to get durable long-lasting professional results, it's critical to understand a little bit about the difference in cabinet coatings. Here's a breakdown of what you need to know before you paint in the order of durability: Types of Cabinet Coatings Acrylic Paint (water-based) -Examples: Sherwin Williams Emerald Urethane, Behr Cabinet & Trim Enamel Pros: Easy-to-use, fast drying, can readily purchase at retail store, less expensive, DIY non-professional use Cons: Less durable than oil-based, 2 component (2k), solvent based products. Hand oils break down coating over time. Alkyd Paint (synthetic oil-based or water-based) -Examples: Behr premium urethane alkyd enamel, Benjamin Moore Advance Pros: hard, durable finish suitable for high traffic areas, relatively fast dry time, UV resistant Cons: longer cure time, longer-lasting smell, hand oils can break down finish. Lacquers -Examples: Sherwin Williams Sher-Wood Kem Aqua, General Finishes Enduro, Lenmar, Pros: quick drying, used in professional applications, smooth finish, high gloss capability, moisture/chemical resistant if catalyzed. Cons: if not catalyzed, can become brittle and yellow over time. Polyurethanes (solvent or water-based) -Examples: ICRO, Renner, Milesi, Ilva, Sherwin Williams Gallery Series, Centurion Pros: quick-drying, extremely durable, can be catalyzed for more durability, UV/chemical resistant, low VOC, manufacturer-like finish, high-traffic use. Designed to be sprayed, but can also be rolled with correct technique. Cons: more expensive, must be professionally applied. Conversion Varnish -High-end, factory-applied finish, professional application only Pros: long-lasting, most durable finish available Cons: Factory shot, most refinishing shops don't shoot this type of finish. At A La Carte Cabinet Painting we understand that choosing the right product for finishing cabinets involves balancing functionality, aesthetic preferences, skill level and overall budget. That's why we've chosen to specialize in eco-conscious, Italian-made water-based polyurethane wood coatings-a premium solution that delivers both beauty and durability. We proudly offer: Eco-friendly Italian Polyurethane Finishes: designed for long-lasting performance, these coatings are not only environmentally responsible but also guaranteed not to yellow, chip, or peel when properly applied. Professional Spray Application : Doors and drawers are professionally sprayed for a smooth, factory-quality look. You also have the option to choose between spray or rolled cabinet boxes, depending on your needs and budget. Partnership with Hartley Group Distributors: as one of the first adopters of these premium European products in the U.S., we've partnered with The Hartley Group of Cornelius, NC to bring this innovative coatings system to the Raleigh, NC market. Whether you're upgrading your kitchen, bathroom, or built-ins, our high-performance water-based finishes are a smart, stylish and sustainable choice!